Bricktown area gets sweeter for visitors

Bricktown visitors will have a new place to satisfy their sweet tooth when Bricktown Candy Co. opens Friday.

The shop will sell many kinds of bulk candy - chocolate, sours, bubble gum, licorice, hard candy, jaw breakers and more - plus bottled soft drinks. In a few weeks, expect gelato to be added to the inventory, owner Justin Thomas said. "We'll have a little bit of everything."

Thomas said he's wanted to open a candy store in Bricktown for years and added he isn't worried about the economy affecting business.

"Candy is a recession-proof industry," he said. "People actually buy more candy during a recession to make them feel good."

Thomas, 40, grew up in Muskogee but has called Oklahoma City home for 20 years. The husband and father (of a 2-year-old and expecting a new baby in October) said he's looking forward to adding more family-friendly retail to Bricktown.